This paper gives an overview of the main corrosion issues related to the French programme of the geological disposal of high-level nuclear wastes (HLNW). In addition to summarizing some specificities of the “dossier 2005 Argile” (clay underground repository concept, HLNW mainly composed of glass matrix, …), the French approach for the selection of the material (non-alloy steel) of HLNW overpacks is underlined with (i) the combination of experimental works and semi-empirical modelling for estimation of service life-times, (ii) mechanistically based modelling for more robust and reliable prediction and (iii) the use of archaeological artefacts to provide data base for testing and validating models.